Tip for crutches



Aug. 7, 1923. 1,464,057 W. G. BELL TIP FOR CRUTCHES Filed Sent. 1921 l/VVE/V TOR Patented Aug. 7, 1923.

S; T hi ltlhlllT TIP non onnrorrns.

Application filed September 3, 1921. Serial No. 198,456.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVILmAM it. BELL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadel phia and State of Pennsylvania, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in Tips for Crutches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in tips for crutches.

The object of the invention is to provide a crutch tip adapted to serve as a pneumatic cushion for the crutch during the use thereof and to absorb the shocks which may be ims posed upon the end oi the crutch.

A further object of the invention that the tip be adapted to grip the surface upon which the same may contact duringthe use thereof.

A turther object of the invention is that the pneumatic cushion of the tip be adapted to be inflated to any degree desired. It is also an important object oi the invention that the inflated cushion be adapted to hold the parts of tip in proper position.

Other objects and objects rela ing to de tails of construction will hereinatter appez-ir in the detailed description to follow.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings. in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the lower end of a crutch, showing my improved tip applied,

Figure 2 is a the same,

Figure 3 is a 3-3 of Figure 1 tion of the arrows.

Figure 4-. is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing a modified form of tip.

Referring to the drawings in detail and particularly to Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, indicates generally the stock of a crutch which tapers toward its lower end in the vertical sectional view of section taken on the line when looking in the direcusual manner and terminates in a reduced threaded portion 11.

In carrying out the present invention, there is provided a nipple 13 which tapers slightly toward its lower end as shown and has its upper end interiorly threaded as at l-iladapted to receive the threaded end 11 of the crutch. The lower end of the nipple 13 terminates in a pair of legs 15 which in turn terminate in a head 16, said head being formed with a clincher bead 17. The openings'existing between the adjacent sides of the legs 15 are preferably oblongin shape as shown at- 18 Figure 1.. i

A shoe 19 is provides, preferably rubber which has its bottom surface concave at 20. The shoe is hollow and tapers toward its upper end and terminates in an annular bead 21 which is adapted to be received by the clincher bead 17. The inner wall 2:2 of the shoe is semi-spherical in shape and the lower end of the head 16 complemental thereto as at 28. Within the shoe 19 there is positioned a pneumatic cushion 24- which is preferably of rubber and has communieating therewith an inflation stern valve 1'25 which is of the usual construction, said valve extending through the head 16 and havinc' threaded on the upper end thereof a cap The cap 26 is formed with a flange 2'7 the peripheral edge of which is serrated in order that the same may be manipulated by the fingers of an operator.

In the use of the present invei'ltion the same is associated with a crutch stock. as shown in the drawings. The cap may now be removed and the rubber cushion inflated toany degree desired. The inflation of this cushion will distend the walls oi the shoe 19 and also securely bind and hold the shoe against removal from the clincher bead 17. The cushion 24-. will serve to absorb in an ethcient manner the shock i1nposed upon the end shoe 19. Also as is obvious the concave bottom of the shoe will insure against the same slipping upon the surface with which it contacts during the use thereof. It is believed the other advantages flowing from my invention, via, the ease and convenience with which the cushion may be inflated, etc, may be apparent.

Referring to Figure 1-, the crutch stool; 28 in this instance carries at its lower end the usual tip socket 29 which is interiorly threaded and terminates at its lower end in the outwardly flared portion 30. For instances of this kind I provide a modified form of tip, comprising a nipple 31 which is threaded at its upper end for reception by the socket 29. The upper end of the nipple is closed as at 32 and its lower end flared outwardly as at 33 and then terminating in a clincher head 34 adapted for receiving the annular bead 35 formed upon the upper end of the shoe 36. The lower till end of the nipple is also formed with a closure as at 37 which is curved so that the same may be con'1 le1nental to the inner wall of the shoe 36. An inflation valve stem 38 eXtends through the closure 37 and communicates with the interior of the pneumatic cushion 39; and said valve stem also extends through the upper end closure 32 of the nipple and carries a cap 39.

In the present .t'orm of the invention the tip must be removed for inflating the pneumatic cushion, otherwise the operation is substantially the same as recited for the tip shown in Figures 1 to 3.

I claim:

1. A crutch tip comprising a head with a clincher bead formed upon the lower face thereof and its upper end formed with a pair of legs or struts which terminate in a sleeve adapted to receive the lower end oi a crutch stock, a resilient hollow shoe having its upper end formed with a bead adapted to be received by said clincher bead, a pneumatic pad within said shoe, and an in flation valve stem extending through said head and communicating with said pneu matic pad and having its upper end disposed between said legs whereby the pneumatic pad may be inflated.

2. A. crutch tip comprising a head with a clincher bead formed upon the lower face thereof and its upper end formed with a pair of legs or struts which terminate in a sleeve adapted to receive the lower end of a crutch stock, a resilient hollow shoe having its upper end formed with a bead adapted to be received by said clincher bead, a pneumatic pad within said shoe an inflation valve stem extending through said head and communicating with said pneumatic pad and having its upper end disposed between said legs, and a cap for the upper end of the valve stem adapted to be easily removed or positioned.

3. A crutch tip terminating in a head with a clincher bead formed therewith, a resilient shoe having its upper face concaved complemental to the lower face of the tip, a bead formed about the upper edge of the shoe and adapted to be fitted into the clincher boa d 01 the crutch tip, a spherical pneumatic pad interposed between the shoe and lower end of the crutch tip head, and means whereby the pad may be inflated.

l. A crutch tip comprising a head, means formed upon the lower face of said head whereby a hollow resilient shoe may be connected therewith, a pneumatic pad within the shoe, an inflation stem extending through the head and terminating at its one end in the pneumatic pad, and means where by the head may be secured to a crutch stock to serve as a tip therefor, and said means being adapted to permit access to the outer end or" the inflation stem whereby to inflate said pneumatic pad.

A crutch tip comprising a head having a clincher bead "formed uponits lower face, a hollow resilient shoe cup-shaped in formation and having a bead formed about its upper edge and eizteriorly thereof, said bead being adapted to be received by said clincher head, a pneumatic pad interposed between the bottom of the shoe and the bottom face of the crutch tip head, an inflation stem extending through the head. and having its one end con'ununicating with the interior of the pneumatic pad whereby the pneumatic pad may be inflated and thereby to hold the shoe against dislodgement from the clincher bead and also to increase the resiliency of said shoe.

WILLIAM G. BELL. 

